Using perspective to visualize data
First Claim
1. A system for allowing a user to visualize data, comprising:
- a computing device comprising a display device; and
a computer program having program modules executable by the computing device, the computing device being directed by the program modules of the computer program to;
receive a dataset of data items, wherein each data item represents a particular data type and the dataset as a whole comprises data items that collectively represent a plurality of different data types, and wherein each data item is associated with a 2D region in a 2D arrangement of the data items;
receive a request to visualize the dataset in three dimensions;
generate a three-dimensional (3D) visualization of the dataset based on the request, the 3D visualization adding a third dimension to at least some of the data items of the 2D arrangement of the data items, an extent of the third dimension for a data item being commensurate with a type and a value of the data item, the 3D visualization comprising an initial 3D depiction of the dataset that is generated from a point of view that is specified by the request;
display the initial 3D depiction of the dataset on the display device in lieu of the dataset itself, wherein the initial 3D depiction of the dataset is manipulatable;
receive a request to manipulate the initial 3D depiction of the dataset, wherein the request specifies at least one data operation to be performed with respect to the initial 3D depiction;
perform the at least one data operation with respect to the initial 3D depiction to create a manipulated 3D depiction of the dataset, wherein performing the at least one data operation comprises moving at least one data item to a different 2D region in the 2D arrangement of the data items; and
display the manipulated 3D depiction of the dataset instead of the initial 3D depiction of the dataset.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system is provided that allows a user to visualize data. A dataset that includes a plurality of data items arranged in a two-dimensional (2D) format is received. A request to visualize the dataset in three dimensions is then received. A three-dimensional (3D) visualization of the dataset is then generated based on this request. This 3D visualization adds a third dimension to the 2D arrangement of data items, where the extent of the third dimension is commensurate with the type and value of the data items. This 3D visualization includes an initial depiction of the dataset which is generated from a point of view that is specified by this request. The initial depiction of the dataset is then displayed on a display device of the system in lieu of the dataset itself.
20 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system for allowing a user to visualize data, comprising:
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a computing device comprising a display device; and a computer program having program modules executable by the computing device, the computing device being directed by the program modules of the computer program to; receive a dataset of data items, wherein each data item represents a particular data type and the dataset as a whole comprises data items that collectively represent a plurality of different data types, and wherein each data item is associated with a 2D region in a 2D arrangement of the data items; receive a request to visualize the dataset in three dimensions; generate a three-dimensional (3D) visualization of the dataset based on the request, the 3D visualization adding a third dimension to at least some of the data items of the 2D arrangement of the data items, an extent of the third dimension for a data item being commensurate with a type and a value of the data item, the 3D visualization comprising an initial 3D depiction of the dataset that is generated from a point of view that is specified by the request; display the initial 3D depiction of the dataset on the display device in lieu of the dataset itself, wherein the initial 3D depiction of the dataset is manipulatable; receive a request to manipulate the initial 3D depiction of the dataset, wherein the request specifies at least one data operation to be performed with respect to the initial 3D depiction; perform the at least one data operation with respect to the initial 3D depiction to create a manipulated 3D depiction of the dataset, wherein performing the at least one data operation comprises moving at least one data item to a different 2D region in the 2D arrangement of the data items; and display the manipulated 3D depiction of the dataset instead of the initial 3D depiction of the dataset. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for allowing a user to visualize data, comprising:
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a computing device comprising a display device; one or more different user input mechanisms that are utilized by the user to input requests into the computing device; and a computer program having program modules executable by the computing device, the computing device being directed by the program modules of the computer program to; receive a dataset of data items, wherein each data item represents a particular data type and the dataset as a whole comprises data items that collectively represent a plurality of different data types, and wherein each data item is associated with a 2D region in a 2D arrangement of the data items; receive a request to visualize the dataset in three dimensions; generate a three-dimensional (3D) visualization of the dataset based on the request, the 3D visualization adding a third dimension to at least some of the data items of the 2D arrangement of the data items, the 3D visualization comprising an initial 3D depiction of the dataset that is generated from a point of view that is specified by the request; display the initial 3D depiction of the dataset on the display device in lieu of the dataset itself, wherein the initial 3D depiction of the dataset is manipulatable; receive a request to manipulate the initial 3D depiction of the dataset, wherein the request specifies at least one data operation to be performed with respect to the initial 3D depiction; perform the at least one data operation with respect to the initial 3D depiction to create a manipulated 3D depiction of the dataset, wherein performing the at least one data operation comprises moving at least one data item to a different 2D region in the 2D arrangement of the data items; and display a revised depiction of the dataset on the display device in lieu of the dataset itself, the revised depiction being based on the manipulated 3D depiction of the dataset. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computer-implemented process for generating a dataset depiction, comprising:
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receiving a dataset of data items, wherein each data item represents a particular data type and the dataset as a whole comprises data items that collectively represent a plurality of different data types, and wherein each data item is associated with a 2D region in a 2D arrangement of the data items; receiving a request to visualize the dataset in three dimensions; generating a three-dimensional (3D) visualization of the dataset based on the request, the 3D visualization adding a third dimension to at least some of the data items of the 2D arrangement of the data items, the extent of the third dimension for a data item being commensurate with a type and a value of the data item, the 3D visualization comprising an initial 3D depiction of the dataset; displaying the initial 3D depiction of the dataset on a display device in lieu of the dataset itself, wherein the initial 3D depiction of the dataset is manipulatable; receiving a request to manipulate the initial 3D depiction of the dataset, wherein the request specifies at least one data operation to be performed with respect to the initial 3D depiction; performing the at least one data operation with respect to the initial 3D depiction to create a manipulated 3D depiction of the dataset; and displaying the manipulated 3D depiction of the dataset instead of the initial 3D depiction of the dataset.
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Specification